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In our journey there will come a time in our lives when we realize that all that we are, all that we have, and all that we have done is meaningless. Something is missing and that something is a someone: Jesus Christ.

It’s at the point where we notice a pattern of reaching goals, acquiring possessions, working for recognition, and it hits us that each time we reach the pinnacle we are faced with another mountain to climb. It seems that it’s never enough. We are never at peace or satisfied. All that we have grasped and worked for has yet to fulfill this longing in our hearts.

Why is this?

We then begin to understand that there is a void in our soul that no material possession, no drink or drug, and no one individual can fill. This void in our heart is a cross shaped scar that can only be healed by the redeeming blood of Jesus.

But many ignore God’s great Rescue mission through His Son Jesus. Our great pride becomes our worst enemy.

Yet in our prideful stubbornness, we quietly and fearfully dismiss this inner longing, and put it out of our focus. We scoff at others who follow Christ and say words like “I am a good person.”

The devil and the world are a constant threat to us focusing on our Godly relationship.

Pulled closer or Pushed away:

The trials, tribulations, and day to day monotony of our lives can either be a distraction or a reminder of our need for God. We will either recognize our brokenness and call upon God or we will dismiss it because of our anger, the hypocrisy of Christianity, and the unanswered questions that remain in our hearts.

But God isn’t mad at us and we should never judge a belief system by those who choose to abuse it. Of that were the case, many of us would never be a firefighter because there are bad firefighters. We would never goto the gym because there are out of shape people there. And many of us would never marry because the divorce rate is so high.

The pursuit of an inner longing is not based on the performance of others; Our salvation is determined by Gods love and our willingness to accept His offer. A gift that many refuse because we cannot comprehend the principle that one would die for another who refused to acknowledge their love.

Consider this: A firefighter takes an oath to take great risks and even sacrifice their life if necessary to save someone that they may have never met.

Now, does the concept of Jesus dying on a cross to save us sound so far fetched?

But what if we accept God’s gift?

How are we to seek relationship with God through Jesus when our family, our work, and our friends tell us to take the easy road?

For the author, the fire department was a spiritual detriment but now as a firefighter each day is a “spiritual opportunity”. Each day is viewed as an opportunity to share the life changing message that God has given freely to us all.

Failing to Search & Rescue:

As Firefighters we are so focused on training and our duty to the public that we often miss the greatest opportunity to make a difference that lies right in front of us:

Our brothers and sisters in the fire house.

We have the duty and privilege to share God’s good news with ourselves and our brothers in the fire station.

Romans 5:8 says “God demonstrated His great love in this: while we were yet sinners Christ died for us”

As a firefighter we took an oath to lay down our life, if necessary, to save someone else’s. We will not know the day, the hour, or the person if this time ever comes.

We can only train ourselves: mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to prepare ourselves to save another’s life. Yet God has already made the rescue of all mankind; rather than waiting on the firefighters to arrive to save us all we must do is make the greatest 911 call ever made.

Consider this concept:

God sent His son to die for us before we ever recognized our sinfulness or our need for Him.

When someone calls 911 they are crying out to us for our help. Out of our great love for our fellow man we respond willing to risk our life for someone we may have never met.

God provided for us before we ever called for His help. “Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

It was His plan to redeem us from the very beginning:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son to condemn the world but to save it.” (John 3:16-17)

We are all born with a need for God, and it is only through Jesus that this can be fulfilled. Let Jesus come to our rescue today. May we all place our hope in Him and our future is secured. It is as simple as ABC

Admit that we need help: God I am a sinner and I need help.

Believe: Dear God, I believe that Jesus is your Son, that He died on the cross for our sins, and on the third day He rose from the dead defeating the power of sin and death.

Confess: Dear God, I confess my sins to you and I accept the gift of forgiveness by accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Please walk with me, guide me, and keep me on the path to a closer walk with Thee.

If you have prayed this prayer, we ask that you would contact us. We would love to follow up with you and assist you on the wonderful journey of walking with Jesus.

It is our hope and our mission that every firefighter will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.